Vitamin B12 ビタミンB12

In Japan: Foods with Nutrient Function Claims and the Dietary Reference Intakes

Wording allowed (current)

“Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps with the formation of red blood cells.”

Amount per daily serving

0.72-60 μg (within this range, the wording above may be used without notification)

Proposed revision

“Vitamin B12 is one of the nutrients that helps make red blood cells.”

Amount: 1.20-60 μg

Referred to the Consumer Commission on July 17, 2026. The proposal includes a transition period allowing the current wording until March 31, 2030.

Dietary Reference Intakes (2025, ages 30–49)

Adequate intake 4.0 μg (men and women) / tolerable upper intake level: not set

In the EU: the register of health claims

EU-authorised claimIn the register: 8 authorised, 6 not authorised

• Claims such as red blood cell formation, nervous system function, and reduction of tiredness are authorised.

In the EU, only health claims whose evidence has been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and authorised by the European Commission may be used on food. “Not authorised” means the evidence for that claim was not established under EU standards — not that the ingredient is dangerous.

What the US NIH says

• Taken together with other B vitamins, it lowers blood homocysteine, but it did not prevent heart disease or cognitive decline.
• Long-term use of acid-reducing drugs (PPIs and H2 blockers) or the diabetes drug metformin can reduce absorption.

Sources: MHLW eJIM "Vitamin B12"

Other ingredients in the same categories

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Folate (folic acid)